Deputy Runs Into Suspect In Break-ins

The Orange County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect early Sunday in several burglaries at homes near Dubsdread Golf Course, an area plagued by break-ins in recent months.

''We consider this a major breakthrough in this case,'' said sheriff's spokesman Randy Means.

Joseph Anthony Morgan, 23, 525 Trenton Ave., Orlando, was arrested after a deputy sheriff chased him across the golf course at 1:20 a.m. When Deputy James Hollomon caught up with the man, he noticed the man was wearing a deputy's cap.

''I tried to stop from running into the defendant, thinking he was a deputy,'' Holloman wrote in the arrest report.

When Holloman bumped into the suspect, the man pulled a .22-caliber automatic pistol and stuck it against the deputy's stomach. Holloman said he knocked the gunman's arm down, grabbed the gun and threw the suspect to the ground, wrenching the gun from his hand. The deputy was not hurt.

The arrest stemmed from a report of a prowler in the 900 block of Formosa Avenue.

The suspect ran across Midiron Drive onto the golf course. He was arrested at Midiron and Minnesota Avenue.

Means said Morgan is a suspect in several burglaries, but he was not charged with any. The man was not carrying stolen items.

Morgan is being held without bail in Orange County Jail on charges of attempted murder, carrying a concealed firearm, wearing a mask in the commission of a felony, impersonating a police officer and loitering and prowling.

Since last September, residents near the golf course have reported more than 50 burglaries. Almost all have occurred when residents were away from home.

The area around the golf course is bordered by Par Street, Interstate 4 and Fairbanks Avenue.